In the midst of continued enforcement regarding coronavirus marketing, FDA sent a warning letter to NeuroXPF concerning advertising for its CBD products alleging that they can boost immune systems to help consumers avoid contracting the virus. Citing the need to take “urgent measures to protect consumers” in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, FDA advised NeuroXPF to remove claims indicating that the company’s products mitigate, prevent, treat, diagnose, or cure COVID-19.
NeuroXPF’s website included claims that consumers should “take CBD and take advantage of its potential to help prepare your body to fight a coronavirus infection.” According to the company, taking CBD “right now” “can help keep your immune system at the stop [sic] of its game.” NeuroXPF’s products had not, however, undergone the FDA’s new drug approval process.
Suggesting that NeuroXPF products can mitigate, prevent, treat, diagnose, or cure any disease, including coronavirus, without having undergone FDA new drug approval, makes the products unapproved drugs in violation of the FDCA, per the FDA. NeuroXPF has 48 hours to email the agency detailing the steps the company has taken to correct any violations.
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As we’ve written about on our sister blog, Ad Law Access, federal and state regulators have been active in pursuing purveyors of scam products and price gougers. For other helpful information during this pandemic, visit our COVID-19 Resource Center and our Advertising and Privacy Law Resource Center.